Disney introduces quinceañera gowns fit for a princess

This Pocahontas gown -- one of two in the Disney Royal Ball Quinceñera Collection -- features beading on the bodice and cascading ruffles on the skirt.

This Pocahontas gown -- one of two in the Disney Royal Ball Quinceñera Collection -- features beading on the bodice and cascading ruffles on the skirt. (Disney Consumer Products)

Susan Denley

How many little girls have dressed up like Belle from "Beauty and the Beast" and pretended to waltz around a ballroom? Or like Sleeping Beauty dancing with the prince?

Now bigger girls can do the same. Disney Consumer Products has teamed with Ashdon Inc., which specializes in special occasion dresses, on a collection of ballgowns inspired by Disney princesses. The Disney Royal Ball Quinceañera Collection is targeted specifically for Latinas' coming-of-age parties, but they would be appropriate for a Sweet Sixteen, as well.

And there's nothing about the dresses that screams "Disney." The two Ariel gowns in the collection don't come with fish tails, for instance. It's the ocean-like colors that were inspired by the "Little Mermaid" character (one is in a deep blue, and the other a soft aqua). And Pocahontas isn't in buckskin, but a pouf of a gown with beadwork on the bodice and colors inspired by the Earth.

Besides Ariel, Belle and Pocahontas, there are gowns inspired by Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Cinderella, Mulan, Jasmine, Tiana and Rapunzel. Each princess is represented by two different styles, making for 20 choices at present.

The collection is priced from $530 to $999 and will be available at specialty stores. Gowns come in sizes 0 to 20.

Quinceañera magazine is hosting a sweepstakes featuring the dresses. Ten finalists will each receive the gown of her choice, and the winner will receive a gown, a VIP trip for two to Southern California, a $1,000 cash prize and more. Entries are being accepted online until June 7.